A17698:3899
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We began yesterday to declare, wherefore Moses did put forth this similitude of §30the evil root, which bringeth forth bitterness and gal. For we do not perceive at the first sight, when the devil beginneth to work in us, until we be corrupted and marred, yea and ••at the things be past remedy, which at the first might have bin taken away. Therefore we cannot be too circumspect in keeping ourselves, seeing that of nature we be inclined to evil, and we be so frail; that ere we be aware, the §40devil taketh possession, and then every man infecteth his neighbour, and so the corruption is spread throughout all. Here he showeth the principal danger that men ought to beware of; which is, that they become not hard hearted against the threatenings of GOD. For it must needs be that we are altogether senseless, when we feel no more any remorse or grief of conscience, but rather do spite God through devilish pride. For men to overshoot themselves, it §50is too ordinary a matter; to be slow when they are driven and pricked forward, is yet a common fault; again, not to believe good counsel at the first, is a thing to be seen daily. But if a man become a scorner and take the bridle in the teeth to dally with God, persuading himself that all the threatenings, which are laid before him, be nothing, and that all is but a fable whatsoever is said concerning the judgement of GOD, so as he taketh leave to do §60what he listeth, and will be ordered by no means, but followeth his own swing like a horse that will not be tamed, and resisteth all that may be done unto him; when a man overshooteth himself so far, it must needs be that he is like a desperate creature. Thus ye see whereof Moses admonisheth the people in this place. Let a man beware (sayeth he) that when he heareth the curses which are set forth in the Law, he say not? Well, yet shall I not fail to have peace still although I give my self over to all mine own ways, and follow my lusts. In deed GOD sayeth that I shall be accursed, but I see it not, I will abide the hazard come what will: in the mean while I will not vex my self with melancholy, I will make merry, come what come will. When men jest thus desperately, they be undone, and they become altogether unreformable.
WEe beganne yesterday to declare, wherefore Moses dyd put foorth this similitude of